What is it? NDGA is a bioactive component of the
Mexican desert plant, Larrea Divaricata -
an antioxidant, lipoxygenase inhibitor as
well as an inhibitor of peptido-
leukotriene biosynthesis

What are its benefits? Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid (NDGA) is a
powerful antioxidant for use in skin care
systems ranging from 0.001% to 0.01%
w/w. Recent studies of NDGA have
revealed biological properties as a free-
radical scavenger and a protective agent
against keratosis caused by exposure to
UV light.

Anti-inflammatory: Mitigates the
inflammatory response in skin. NDGA
inhibits the synthesis of inflammatory
mediators such as prostaglandins and
leukotrines by blocking the actions of
the enzyme lipoxygenase. NDGA is able
to block chemically induced skin
irritation.

Are there any side effects? Ocular irritation assay: Displayed
minimal ocular irritation at
concentrations up to 0.2%.
Dermal irritation assay: Classified as a
non-irritant/ irritant at concentrations
up to 0.2%.

GOTU KOLA – CENTELLA ASIATICA

What is it?Centella asiatica (also known as gotu
kola and Hydrocotyle asiatica) is a
perennial, herbaceous creeper with
kidneyshaped leaves, found in India, Sri
Lanka, Madagascar, South Africa,
Australia, China, and Japan.
Centella contains several active
constituents, of which the most
important are the triterpenoid saponins,
including asiaticoside, centelloside,
madecassoside, and asiatic acid. In
addtion,Centella contains other
components, including volatile oils,
flavonoids, tannins, phytosterols, amino
acids, and sugars.

Are there any side effects? Alcoholic extracts of gotu kola have
shown no toxicity at doses of 350 mg/kg
when given i.p. In adults, the
recommended daily dose of TTFCA (or
TECA) extracts standardized for
asiaticoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic
acid is 60-120 mg. The recommended
daily dosages of crude herb and 1:5
tincture are 0.5-6 g and 10-20 mL,
respectively.
Gotu kola should be avoided during
pregnancy,due to its emmenagogue
action.

What are its benefits?Centella asiatica is a mild adaptogen, is mildly antibacterial, anti-viral, anti- inflammatory, anti-ulcerogenic, anxiolytic, a cerebral tonic, a circulatory stimulant, a diuretic, nervine and vulnerary. Several scientific reports have documented Centella asiatica's ability to aid wound healing, which is responsible for its traditional use in leprosy. Upon treatment with Centella asiatica, maturation of the scar is stimulated by the production of type I collagen. The treatment also results in a marked decrease in inflammatory reaction and myofibroblast production. Centella asiatica is used to re-vitalize the brain and nervous system, increase attention span and concentration , and combat aging.Centella asiatica also has anti- oxidant properties. [4] It works for venous insufficiency

CAFESTOL

What is it? Cafestol is a diterpene molecule present
in coffee. A typical bean of Coffea
Arabica contains about 0.6% of cafestol
by weight. Coffea Robusta has a slightly
higher content.

Are there any side effects? There are no known side effects known
for dosages upto 50 mg/ml.

What are its benefits? Application of small amounts of cafestol

to living skin models results in a
significant, dose-dependent increase in
more than one major stratum corneum
lipid and, the amount of ceramide over
a period of days.

The cafestol containing compositions
can be used in prevention or treatment
of dry skin conditions generally, or
specific dry skin conditions, such as
result from regular exposure to
detergents, soaps seasonal exposure to
harsh weather conditions.
The cafestol compositions can be used
in prevention of further damage to
aging skin, or treatment and/or reversal
of already present damage.

The compositions can also be used in
the treatment of a defective skin barrier,
such as occurs on the soles of the feet,
and palms of the hands, where the
stratum corneum is very thick, but the
lipid barrier is poor. In formulating such
compositions, cafestol is incorporated in
an amount of from about 0.001 to 50
mg/ml, preferably about 0.005 to 10.0
mg/ml, more preferably about 0.01 to
1.0 mg/ml, and most preferably 0.1 to 1
mg/ml of composition.

MANGOSTEEN

What is it? The purple mangosteen (Garcinia
mangostana), colloquially known simply
as mangosteen, is
a tropical evergreen tree believed to have
originated in the Sunda Islands and
the Moluccas of Indonesia. The tree grows
from 7 to 25 m (20–80 ft) tall. The rind
(exocarp) of the edible fruit is deep reddish
purple when ripe. Botanically an aril, the
fragrant edible flesh can be described as
sweet and tangy, citrusy with a flavour and
texture similar to a peach.

Are there any side effects? Mangosteen has no noticeable side effects
with the following dosage preparations: (all
of the rind): Extract, dose 3 to 10 grains;
Tincture (1 in 10), dose: 1/2 to 1 drachm;
Syrup (1 in 10), dose: 1/2 to 1 drachm;
Decoction (1 in 10), dose: 4 ounces; Powder,
dose: 10 to 60 grains and juice.

What are its benefits?Anti-inflammatory: Ethanol extracts of
mangosteen has potent inhibitory activities
of both histamine release and prostaglandin
E2 synthesis.

Antioxidant: The methanol extract of the
fruit hulls of mangosteen exhibit a potent
radical scavenging effect
Technical data and scientific studies confirm
that this extract is an excellent choice for
antibacterial, antifungal and anti-
inflammatory effects on the skin. These are
exactly the conditions encountered in acne-
prone skin where soaps, creams and washes
ideally suit the use of the extract. Made into
an ointment, it is applied on eczema and
other skin disorders

GREEN TEA

What is it? Green tea - Camellia sinensis is a large
shrub with white flowers and is indigenous
to Asia and China, but commercially grown
in Africa, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The young leaves and buds are used. The
same plant is used to produce green, black
and oolong tea. When green tea is made
the leaves are rapidly dried, while black tea
is first fermented and then dried and
oolong tea is only partly fermented before
drying.

Are there any side effects? Green tea has fewer or no side effects as
compared to other drug based products

What are its benefits?
The flavonoids and catechols in green tea
provide it with vitamin P properties while
the tannins interact with proteins and
are astringent and also
have antioxidant activity. One of the
polyphenols in green tea - Epigallocatechin
galate (EGCC) is thought to be 200
times more powerful than vitamin E for
neutralizing free radicals. The antioxidant
effect of green tea has a protective role to
play as well, since it prevents free radical
damage and possible skin tumors and
cancers and can be used in confidence as
an anti-aging ingredient in skin care
preparations. The EGCC in green tea is
effectively absorbed via the skin.

Green tea is a potent anti-inflammatory
agent thereby reducing inflammation in the
skin, and most importantly having an
inhibitory action on collagenase, which is
a collagen-reducing enzyme that breaks
down collagen. Since green tea helps to
inhibit collagenase, the topical use of green
tea helps to promote thehealth and quantity
of collagen, thereby maintaining a firm and
elastic skin.

The Methylxanthines contained in green tea
also stimulates skin microcirculation and
therefore positively influence the tone and
health of the skin. Green tea also exhibits
a photo protective effect when applied to
the skin and reduces erythema formation. In
some studies it also showed that
polyphenols found in green tea limited cell
death when exposed to radiation, thereby
showing that these polyphenols have a cell-
protecting function as well.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

What is it? Chlorogenic acid is a hydroxycinnamic acid,
a member of a family of naturally occurring
organic compounds. It belongs to a family
of esters formed between trans-cinnamic
acids and quinic acid. Green Coffee beans
are one of the richest sources of
chlorogenic acid.

Are there any side effects? Green tea has fewer or no side effects as
compared to other drug based products

What are its benefits?Antioxidant: Chlorogenic Acid is known to
have radical scavenging properties. This
antioxidant effect makes it an ideal
application for skin creams and lotions.

Anti-tumor: Chlorogenic acid is an
antioxidant and an inhibitor of the tumor
promoting activity of phorbol esters. Topical
application helps protect against skin
cancer.

Antibacterial: The anti-bacterial properties
of chlorogenic acid make it an ideal
application for anti-acne usage as it
prevents acne formation due to bacterial
infection.

Anti-Infalmmatory effect: Studies have
shown it to have anti-inflammatory effect.

Are there any side effects?
Chlorogenic acid is safe. It is claimed to
have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal
effects with relatively low toxicity and side
effects, alongside properties that do not
lead to antimicrobial resistance.

OILS

LUFFA CYLINDRICA OIL

What is it? Luffa cylindrica is a member of the
cucurbitaceae family, which looks like a
cucumber. Luffa plants are native to
India. Luffa cylindrica or cylindrical seed
oil comes from the seeds found within
the fibrous part of the luffa gourd's fruit.
The seeds are pressed to produce the
oil.

What are its benefits?
In cosmetics, luffa cylindrical seed oil is
used for its antifungal, anti-
inflammatory and anti-tumor properties.
It is high in the essential amino acid,
arginine.

It is used in mineral based make up
because of the healing powers of its
anti-fungal and inflammatory traits. Not
only is mineral makeup considered a
natural sunscreen, but the fine, silky
texture allows skin to breathe, while
moisturizing and preventing bacteria
from causing flaws and imperfections.

Its high toxicity to skin cancer cells is
why it is used in sunscreen products.

The high content of arginine, which is
an essential amino acid that plays an
important role in cell division and
healing of wounds, provides healthy cell
benefits when used in facial makeup.

The seed oil is a rich emollient that
adds smoothness and softness to the
skin. Because it is a natural vegetable oil,
it contains moisturizing elements for use
in anti-aging cosmetics

Are there any side effects? Luffa oil is considered extremely safe,
with very little or no toxicity reported